<p>I’m thinking about which computer I should get for school next fall and am not sure about whether I should get a Mac or PC… Any tips?</p>
<p>My kid got a powerful levono idea pad for engineering and loves it. Not only is it good for his classes, but he can play 3D video games easily in his dorm. It was half the price of a Mac. Go to the Open House and pose this question to the current Architectural Engineering students at your major’s orientation.</p>
<p>Google Cal Poly Architectural Engineering then go to prospective students and you will find this: If purchasing a computer, the department recommends a PC/Windows based machine with the following minimum specifications:</p>
<pre><code>Intel 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor (or greater)
160 GB or greater hard drive
256 MB or greater video memory
2GB or greater RAM
</code></pre>
<p>The ArchE site has lots of good information for you to check out. My son is at Cal Poly and he recommends getting whatever is recommended by the department - if they say Mac get Mac; it they say PC, get PC - it will make your life much easier if you match what is being used by your department. Congrats on your admission.</p>
<p>@ Jakotatio – csfmap has given you the final word!! I’d follow that advice and get exactly what the department suggests with the exception of upgrading a bit it if you can afford it. You want to use it for a long as possible. Plus, remember that you will be using it for entertainment in your down time. So make sure that it handles multimedia well. Again, my kid is very knowledgeable with computers and built his own (and my personal PC and my office PC’s) during HS. He loves his lovono ideapad and got a great discount price. For just over $800 he got a lap top that screams.</p>
<p>For engineering you want more than 2GB of RAM. That only enough for really simple drawings. 4+ is better</p>
<p>I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but what about for a computer engineer? I can’t go to the open house either, so I wouldn’t be able to ask.</p>
<p>Should I get a Mac or PC as a CE? (this question is aimed at current/past CE majors)</p>
<p>I don’t mean to hijack your hijack, but what about for a materials engineer. I will be able to go to open house, but I’d still like to know now.</p>
<p>Should I get a Mac or PC as a MSE? (this question is aimed at current/past MSE majors) </p>
<p>I don’t mean to hijack the post, but what about screen size: 13 or 15 in? (this question is aimed at current/past Macbook pro users)</p>